St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-09
A MORMON EPISTL.E
Sent out to the Faithful as n Review
of the Present Situation.

Provo, Utah, April Sat general
epistle was read from Presidents Taylor,
Cannon and Smith, of the first presidency
of the church. 1t congratulates the people
on the peace and prosperity that is attend
ing them and on the increased growth of
MOrmonism, notwithstanding the efforts of
its enemies to the contrary; eXhOrtS them,tO
be vigorous observers of the duties and
stand true to the principles espoused from
the organization of the church. and the
various agencies employed to effect its
overthrow. FalsehoOd. traditions, deep
rooted prejudice and violence have tried in
vain, and new crusade has been inaugu-
rated IN the form of legislative tyranny car
ried on by cunning adventures and reck-
less fanatics. Referring to the Edmunds
law of 1882 it says:
The ground taken by its promoters was
that the violation of the soundest political
principles even the constitution itself, was
both praisewortby and justifabe if necessary
to take the political rule of Utah from the
Mormon majority and give it to the anti-Mor-
mon minority, and having so acted in the
past it is not unexpected that other more
outrageous attempts will be made to accom-
plish the purpose. Their success in Secur ing
the passage of the original EdmundS law EN-
boldened them TO make the most extraordi-
nary demands for further legislation. 1t
says in regard to the Edmunds law that it is
generally considered that no such law was
ever enacted in this country before and its
parallel is only found in medieval times,
when mems ideas were confined to
such grants as despotic governments
chose to give them. Provisions are
made interfering with church property
contrary to the intention of its donors. vio-
Iation of ecclesiastical rights. confiscation
and spoliation, Acknowledgement of women
without even an allegation of crime against
them, and arbitrary exercise of despotic power
without parallel in republican history. The
whole bill betrays an attempt to pave the
way for the domination of the ma
ior;ty by the minority because the majority
is composed of members who are unpopular.
Referring to the diSincOrporation of the
church, doubts are entertained as to its Being
a corporation, and if it is yet decided cor
poration, it is impossible after the territory
granted a charter of incorporation which
congress for long years permitted TO remain
unchallenged, that the latter body can now
revoke that charter and appropriate the
proceeds of this property to such uses as the
majority in congress may designate. III so
are we. with all the people of the territories,
living under q government and law, or are
we and all our rights as free m, n subject to
the within and caprice OF the national con-
gress? Referring to the test oath, 1T says
that understanding fully therefore, all the
consequences if they would do so they nave
generally resolved to take the oath rather
than to be the victims of political dema-
yogues. But this Willingness does not divest
the oath of it's enormity, or constitutional
character The rule of law is man is pre-
sumed innocent of offense and intention TO
commit otfenses until proven guilty. By the
Edmunds-Tucker law it is presumed that the
citizens of Utah are disposed to violate the
law, and we must therefore rebut the pre-
sumption by taking the oath.
CLEVELAND, o., April S.-The second
days session of the conference of the reor-
ganized Church of Latter Day Saints. at
Kirkland. was devoted to the reading of re-
ports which were referred. Yesterday
| there was discussion on faith healing. and
a communication from a quorum OF the
twelve apostles was read, in which they
| say:
| We earnestly call yoli attention to the
present condition of our quorum. We have
| but seven members, one of whom is i'll dis
! tant land. Thus you will see that the second
| quorum of the church, as quorum, does not
| exist in the land of America. Will your hon.
orable body adopt such measures as you may
deem proper with u view to lettering oui
| condition? We deem this as important
| ference, and we believe that God is willing to
hear our prayer and relieve US from this en-
! barrassment.
1t is expected that tomorrow, and Sun
day will be the big days Of the conference.